FARMINGTON — A conference on “Asperger Syndrome and the Real World” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Ben Franklin Center at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

The conference is intended for families, teachers, therapists and other individuals who work with children with an autism spectrum disorder in Greater Franklin County area.

The keynote speaker will be Teresa Bolick, PhD, a licensed psychologist with a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Asperger Syndrome. Bolick presents workshops on autism spectrum disorders throughout North America. She is the author of “Asperger Syndrome and Your Young Child” and “Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence.”

Topics will include strengths and challenges of individuals with Asperger Syndrome and autism; accommodations and modifications that support daily living skills; ways to help with social interactions and communication; positive behavior support plans that teach self-control and flexibility; and, essential elements of communication and collaboration among families, school teams, and community providers.

The conference is sponsored by Franklin Health Child and Adolescent Developmental Pediatrics and funded through a grant with Maine Health Access Foundation. A tuition fee of $30 a person includes the program, a continental breakfast and lunch. The registration deadline is Friday, March 25. There is no charge for employees of Franklin Community Health Network.

Scholarships are available and all scholarship requests will be approved. For information or to request a scholarship, call 779-2381.